Josie was puzzled. By the time they arrived at the Olsen Residence, Claudia had already punctuated the conversation.
Later that evening, while relaxing in the bathtub, Josie received a message from Vivian: Looks like our dear Alice has quite the impressive background. I’m starting to feel a bit jealous. Remember how we struggled just to have a decent meal, and you never mentioned any of this!
Chuckling, Josie typed a reply: I didn’t mean to keep it from you, sorry.
Vivian, ever so quick to shift gears, then inquired: The car you were getting into, was there a man inside?
Her knack for guessing didn’t disappoint this time either. Reflecting on that moment, a spontaneous warmth spread over Josie’s cheeks, a feeling of openness she hadn’t anticipated.
Vivian pressed on: Yes or no?
Josie: Yes.
Vivian: Who was it, I wonder? That car, from what I’ve gathered, underwent customization. It’s a unique model in the entire world, must be quite the treasure, right?
At a glance, Dexter seemed unassuming. Yet, only a select few recognized that everything surrounding him was of unparalleled quality.
Josie chose not to reply.
Vivian: Does he treat you well?
Treat me well?
Post-reunion, Josie thought he had been treating her fairly well. While she was still deep in thought, Vivian had swiftly unearthed details about the car, sharing with Josie: This car hadn’t been spotted in Wavery for over half a year. Last seen, it was featured on a financial news broadcast.
In that piece, the spotlight wasn’t on Dexter but rather on a woman. The headline boldly declared: Prominent Entrepreneur Juliette Witherspoon Rumored to Be Holidaying with Affluent Beau.
The footage captured her exiting a hotel, her short locks perfectly styled, sporting a playful smile. Beyond her confident air, she exuded a distinctive feminine allure, sliding into a waiting car to drive off solo.
Throughout the coverage, the man’s face remained unseen.
Yet, the car, unmistakably the same one Dexter drove that day, even the license plate was a match.
Josie did the math; six months prior, she and Dexter hadn’t reconciled.
Could Dexter… be acquainted with Juliette? Their connection must’ve been significant since he wouldn’t just allow anyone to drive his car.
Receiving no response for a while, Vivian decided to call directly. Her Clusian was choppy, causing her to fumble her words. “Alice,” she queried, “are you facing a love rival?”
Josie stepped out of the bath, her feet touching the cold floor. “You’re reading too much into it. We’re just friends.”
“And who are ‘we’?”
“Him and me…”
Friends, yet they’ve shared a bed and have a child together.
Vivian lost interest quickly. After a brief chat, she mentioned her departure from Wavery the next day, adding, “By the way, I heard you were here, so I came. Did you set this up?”
Josie’s brow creased. Few were privy to her stay’in Wavery, much less to inform Vivian.
Her attendance at the cocktail party was mainly in anticipation of Vivian’s presence.
This revelation hinted at a possible setup.
“Alice?”
“Who told you that?”
“No idea; they just sent me an email.”
After hanging up the phone, Josie sat in front of a full-length mirror, contemplating deeply. Without intervention, the previous night, her reputation, and her alias “Alice,” could have suffered greatly. The potential fallout was daunting.
Who could’ve orchestrated this?
Laura’s image briefly crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. If that were the case, Laura wouldn’t have sought assistance from Claudia.
It must be a coincidence.
Josie reasoned that maybe she was an unintended pawn in Shirley’s elaborate plot. Yet, how could Shirley, with her simplicity and innocence, come up with such a detailed conspiracy?
As she deliberated, her gaze landed on her ankle, noticing for the first time a strawberry- shaped Band-Aid. Now waterlogged, it had begun to peel away.
Bending down, Josie removed it, observing that the swelling had notably decreased.
